March 10, 2010

Breaux, Lott in Talks With Patton Boggs

Former Sens. John Breaux and Trent Lott are in talks to more formally combine forces with law and lobbying firm Patton Boggs, a source with knowledge of the talks said.

Rumors of such a deal by Breaux and Lott have been spreading for months. Breaux, via an assistant, declined to comment, but said he has had offers from other firms since the Breaux Lott Leadership Group opened. Patton Boggs declined comment.

The two senators and their sons went into business together in 2008, after Lott left the Senate. But before that, Breaux had spent three years at Patton Boggs, and he's kept ties there. Both Breaux and Lott are already special public policy advisers to the law firm, and Breaux has spoken warmly of his long relationship with name partner and fellow Louisianian Tommy Boggs.

Their own lobbying firm now has a diverse client list that includes General Electric, the Financial Services Roundtable, Shell Oil and AT&T, and nine staff members, according to the firm’s Web site.